The Fickleness of the World

Seeing the North Sea Emperor's puzzled gaze, Ao Budong nodded firmly.

"That's right, it's just a skeleton!"

With that, he called Ao Chang into the room.

"Ao Chang, recount to Brother Chang exactly what strange creatures you saw that day, one by one!"

Ao Chang held the North Sea Emperor in the highest regard.

Hearing he had the chance to speak, he immediately perked up, describing the scene with vivid enthusiasm!

"Greetings, North Sea Emperor."

"That day, I was out on official business with the Third Prince when we unexpectedly encountered several creatures descending from the sky. First, a colossal bear, tens of thousands of feet tall, crashed into the sea. Then, several figures in black robes appeared, all led by that skeleton."

"Speaking of that skeleton, it was truly unremarkable in appearance. No wonder we were deceived. Who would have thought that such a small, oddly dressed skeleton could possess such formidable abilities..."

Ao Chang's storytelling was so lively it was as if the scene was unfolding before their eyes, drawing on all his knowledge and experience.

Ao Budong was quite pleased, quietly lifting his teacup in anticipation.

But as the words fell silent,

Just as he brought the cup to his lips, the North Sea Emperor suddenly snatched it away, startling Ao Budong so much he shivered.

Before he could react, the North Sea Emperor's face turned cold.

"Give it back. You still want to drink?"

"Let's go, let's go. Hurry up."

His tone was harsh and unexpected, a stark contrast to the cordiality moments before!

Ao Budong stood there stunned, instinctively clasping his fists in respect as he asked,

"Brother Chang, what do you mean by this?"

The North Sea Emperor's expression darkened, no trace of the earlier warmth remained.

"Brother Chang?"

"By seniority, is that a title you are entitled to use?"

"I intend to continue my secluded cultivation. I have no time for trivial matters. Unless there is something important, I suggest you two leave immediately!"

What...?

Ao Budong's eyes widened in shock.

They had been on such friendly terms just moments ago.

From the moment they entered the thatched hut, the North Sea Emperor had been quite approachable, addressing him politely and without any airs of superiority, as if they were old close friends.

He had even seemed ready to draw his blade to help.

Yet in the blink of an eye,

His attitude turned so icy?

His face flipped faster than pages in a book.

The Dragon Emperor was utterly baffled, and Ao Chang was even more confused.

Where had things gone wrong?

No matter how they thought about it, they hadn’t said anything wrong.

The two exchanged puzzled glances, and the Dragon Emperor was about to clasp his fists and speak.

But then,

The North Sea Emperor collected the tea set and opened his palm toward the door.

"Gentlemen, please leave."

The sudden dismissal caught them completely off guard.

Ao Budong felt his face lose all dignity, the corners of his mouth twitching involuntarily!

Good grief.

This old fellow didn’t give an inch of face, actually kicking them out!

And to think he had been bragging earlier.

How great the North Sea Emperor was, how close their friendship was—now looking back, it was just warm face pressed against cold butt, bragging for nothing!

But it was too late.

Being a man of pride, he had no choice but to drag his subordinates away from the thatched hut.

Several miles away,

Ao Budong’s expression grew increasingly dark.

Two tens of thousands of years of friendship had been utterly misplaced!

The angrier he got, the more sullen the Dragon Emperor’s face became.

"If he won’t help, then he won’t. I have friends all over the world. Even without the North Sea Emperor, I still have others to rely on!"

He fixed his gaze and pondered silently for a few moments.

Confidence rekindled in his eyes as he gazed out toward the vast ocean.

“Our sea clan boasts countless mighty beings and countless close friends. I refuse to believe that everyone is like him!”

Ao Chang looked up in surprise and delight, eager to see that familiar face once more.

“Your Majesty, do you know other powerful figures as well?”

“I truly admire you, sir!”

With respectful gazes cast his way, the Dragon Emperor felt deeply gratified.

He nodded lightly, his eyes shining with even greater confidence.

“Of course.”

“Setting others aside, we will soon pay a visit to the Sturgeon Dragon Heavenly Emperor. He is an ancient being who rose to prominence even earlier than me. Our two clans share distant kinship, so there’s no way this time will end in failure!”

The Sturgeon Dragon Heavenly Emperor?!

This was a legendary figure recorded in ancient texts, whose seniority even surpassed that of the North Sea Emperor!

No wonder His Majesty has ties with such a figure!

Ao Chang’s excitement grew. Compared to the venerable Dragon Emperor, this young expert was but a novice, inexperienced and unworthy of mention—like a greenhorn. Yet, he looked on with admiration and reverence.

The Dragon Emperor, feeling the weight of such regard, grew even more confident.

Gathering his composure, he stroked his beard with a smile and steadily drifted away through the void.

Only moments passed.

The two entered a grand hall deep within the South Sea, where opulence reached its peak.

They took their seats in the main hall.

Ao Budong enjoyed the honors reserved for distinguished guests, while Ao Chang was fortunate enough to sit alongside him. The lavish treatment bolstered their confidence—everything was unfolding just as expected.

After a few courteous exchanges,

Ao Budong solemnly bowed toward the main seat.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Heavenly Emperor.”

“We are distant relatives. Thousands of years ago, a marriage pact was arranged between your daughter and my family’s third son, binding our clans even closer…”

“I wonder if that promise, made so casually back then, still holds true today?”

This time, he had learned from past mistakes.

First, establish rapport; test the other’s attitude; then decide how to proceed.

The Sturgeon Dragon Heavenly Emperor nodded in response, his eyes smiling as before.

“Of course.”

“As fellow clan emperors, how could we possibly go back on our word?”

Hearing this, Ao Budong nodded slightly.

This was reassuring.

Since they were practically family, far closer than mere friends, there was no way they would abandon each other in times of need.

Only then did Ao Budong reveal the truth.

“Your words, Heavenly Emperor, resonate deeply with me.”

“Unfortunately, my son recently suffered a calamity. He was attacked by outsiders and transformed into a mere common fish…”

Tears welled as he recounted the story.

Ao Chang, perceptive as ever, rose promptly, clasped his fists in respect, and presented the “salted fish” condition of the third prince right then and there. The master and servant acted in perfect harmony.

The Sturgeon Dragon Heavenly Emperor listened with astonishment and compassion.

He examined the salted fish form for several moments, then clenched his teeth in indignation and declared firmly:

“I never expected your son to suffer such a sudden and strange affliction. This kind of sorcery is beyond even my power to reverse.”

“But, dear Ao, do not despair. Our clan possesses ancestral dragon bones, steeped in pure dragon energy for tens of thousands of years. They can dispel all manner of dark magic. If used to treat your son’s condition, I am confident it will have some miraculous effect!”

Ancestral dragon bones?

This was the most precious treasure of the Sturgeon Dragon clan!

To save Ao Lie, they were even willing to risk such a treasure. This was what family truly meant—standing together through hardship. Only kin could be relied upon in times of crisis!

Ao Budong’s tears flowed freely as he gratefully offered his own secret treasure in return.

“Thank you, Heavenly Emperor, for your righteous and timely aid!”

“This is the most treasured relic of my clan, the Moonlight Heavenly Mirror. However, as a small token of my gratitude, I humbly ask the Heavenly Emperor to accept it. Our two clans have been bound in friendship for generations—may this forever seal our kinship!”

The Xunlong Heavenly Emperor waved his hand politely in response.

After several earnest attempts to dissuade, he finally cradled the salted fish in one hand and slipped the Moonlight Heavenly Mirror into his sleeve.

The two men were deeply moved, their distance noticeably closing.

While waiting for the Dragon Bone’s arrival,

the Xunlong Heavenly Emperor’s curiosity got the better of him, and he casually asked aloud,

“I truly did not expect that Young Master would fall victim to such a vicious and sinister spell.”

“Pray tell, what kind of fiend could have done this?!”

No sooner had the words left his mouth,

Ao Chang immediately rose to his feet, clasped his fists, and vividly recounted everything he had witnessed—especially describing in detail the loathsome skeleton, leaving no trace of its arrogance unmentioned—all in hopes of stirring the Heavenly Emperor’s sympathy to intervene and help the Dragon Kings and Mermen exact revenge!

Just as he was getting caught up in the telling,

Suddenly!

The expression on the Xunlong Heavenly Emperor’s face darkened considerably!

At the very end, he abruptly threw the salted fish prince over!

“Whoosh!”

Ao Chang’s face drained of color, utterly caught off guard!

Fortunately, Dragon Emperor Ao Budong’s quick reflexes saved the day, catching the prince just in time amid the chaos.

Though he held the salted fish securely, his heart skipped a beat, an ominous premonition rising sharply in his mind.

“Xunlong Heavenly Emperor, what exactly do you mean by this?”

“We are practically soon-to-be in-laws! Surely you wouldn’t stand by and watch him die?!”